Tank trailer wrap

ABSTRACT

An aerodynamic wrap for use with a tank trailer illustratively includes opposing first and second side assemblies. In an illustrative embodiment, each side assembly includes an upper panel pivotably supported by the tank trailer, and a lower panel pivotably supported by the upper panel. A lower connecting member illustratively couples the lower panels of the first and second side assemblies under the belly of the tank trailer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/585,950, filed Sep. 27, 2019, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/156,777, filed Oct. 10, 2018 andissued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,427,729, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/570,335, filed Oct. 10, 2017,and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/645,790, filed Mar.20, 2018. The entire disclosures of all of the above applications areexpressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to an air deflector for avehicle and, more particularly, to a wrap for promoting aerodynamics andpreventing air drag on a conventional tank trailer.

Air or aerodynamic deflectors on vehicles, including trailers, are knownto reduce wind drag and thereby increase fuel efficiency. While avariety of different aerodynamic deflectors have been used on cabs andconventional trailers to reduce air drag, there has been little effortdirected specifically to improve the aerodynamics of tank trailers. Moreparticularly, tank trailers typically include components and associatedsurfaces that increase air drag compared to other types of conventionaltrailers (e.g., flat bed trailers and enclosed trailers). For example,conventional tank trailers include a tank having a plurality of silosand associated piping components that increase air drag. As such, thereremains a need for air deflectors that improve aerodynamics of tanktrailers.

According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, anaerodynamic tank trailer wrap includes a first side assembly extendingvertically between a first upper end and a first lower end, and a firstupper coupler configured to couple the first upper end of the first sideassembly to a first side of a tank trailer. The aerodynamic tank trailerwrap further includes a second side assembly extending verticallybetween a second upper end and a second lower end, and a second uppercoupler configured to couple the second upper end of the second sideassembly to a second side of the tank trailer. A lower attachment memberextends below a tank of the tank trailer and couples together the firstlower end of the first side assembly and the second lower end of thesecond side assembly.

According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure,an aerodynamic tank trailer wrap includes an upper panel, and an uppercoupler configured to support the upper panel for pivoting movementabout an upper longitudinal pivot axis. The aerodynamic tank trailerwrap further includes a lower panel extending below the upper panel, anda lower coupler coupling the upper panel with the lower panel, the lowercoupler supporting the lower panel for pivoting movement about a lowerlongitudinal pivot axis.

According to a further illustrative embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a tank trailer includes a frame, a tank supported by theframe, and a plurality of fixtures supported by the frame below thetank. An aerodynamic tank trailer wrap includes a first side assemblyextending vertically between a first upper end and a first lower end, afirst upper coupler configured to couple the first upper end of thefirst side assembly to a first side of the tank trailer. The aerodynamictank trailer wrap further includes a second side assembly extendingvertically between a second upper end and a second lower end, and asecond upper coupler configured to couple the second upper end of thesecond side assembly to a second side of the tank trailer. A lowerconnecting member extends below the tank of the tank trailer and couplestogether the first lower end of the first side assembly and the secondlower end of the second side assembly.

According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure,an aerodynamic tank trailer wrap includes a first side assemblyconfigured to be supported to a side of a tank trailer, the first sideassembly including a first center portion extending between a firstupper end and a first lower end, and between a front end and a rear end,the first side assembly further including a forward aerodynamicdeflector supported by the front end of the center portion, and a rearwheel aerodynamic deflector supported by the rear end of the centerportion. The aerodynamic tank trailer wrap further includes a secondside assembly configured to be supported to a side of a tank trailer,the second side assembly positioned in laterally spaced relation to thefirst side assembly, the second side assembly including a second centerportion extending between a second upper end and a second lower end, andbetween a front end and a rear end, the second side assembly furtherincluding a forward aerodynamic deflector supported by the front end ofthe center portion, and a rear wheel aerodynamic deflector supported bythe rear end of the center portion. A forward aerodynamic nose deflectoris positioned longitudinally forward of the front end of the first sideassembly and the front end of the second side assembly, and ispositioned laterally intermediate the first side assembly and the secondside assembly.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the followingdetailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying thebest mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to theaccompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a conventional tank trailer;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the tank trailer of FIG. 1, showingan illustrative aerodynamic tank wrap of the present disclosure coupledthereto;

FIG. 3 is another side elevational view of the illustrative aerodynamictank wrap similar to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the tank trailer and illustrative aerodynamictank wrap of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a side assembly of the illustrative aerodynamictank wrap of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a further illustrative aerodynamic tankwrap of the present disclosure coupled to a conventional tank trailer;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the right side of the aerodynamictank wrap of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the left side of the aerodynamictank wrap of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the illustrative aerodynamic tankwrap of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the support structure of theaerodynamic tank wrap of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a front end view of the aerodynamic tank wrap of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a rear wheel deflector of theaerodynamic tank wrap of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a lower portion of the supportstructure of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of the lower portion of the supportstructure of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of the upper portion of the supportstructure of FIG. 10;

FIG. 16 is another side perspective view of the upper portion of thesupport structure of FIG. 10;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a lower front framework of the supportstructure of FIG. 10;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a lower front panel coupled to thefront framework of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of the right side of the supportstructure of FIG. 10;

FIG. 20 is a side perspective view of an upper portion of the supportstructure of FIG. 10;

FIG. 21 is a side perspective view of a lower portion of the supportstructure of FIG. 10;

FIG. 22 is a side perspective view showing aerodynamic panels coupled tothe lower portion of the support structure of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a side perspective view of aerodynamic panels coupled to theupper portion of the support structure of FIG. 16;

FIG. 24 is a side perspective view of aerodynamic panels coupled to theupper portion of the support structure of FIG. 10;

FIG. 25 is a front perspective view of the support structure of the rearwheel deflector of FIG. 12;

FIG. 26 is a side perspective view of the front end of the upper portionof the support structure of FIG. 19;

FIG. 27 is a side perspective view showing aerodynamic panels coupled tothe front end of the support structure of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a support structure of a front nosedeflector for use with the aerodynamic tank wrap of FIG. 6;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of aerodynamic panels coupled to thesupport structure of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a side perspective view of the front end of the supportstructure of FIG. 10;

FIG. 31 is a side perspective view of the support structure of FIG. 10;and

FIG. 32 is another side perspective view of the support structure ofFIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention described herein are not intendedto be exhaustive or to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed.Rather, the embodiments selected for description have been chosen toenable one skilled in the art to practice the invention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a conventional tank trailer 10illustratively includes a tank or hopper 12 supported by a frame 14. Theframe 14 extends longitudinally between a front end 16 and a rear end18. A rear suspension 20 supports the rear end 18 of the frame 14, and aretractable landing gear or dolly leg 22 may support the front end 16 ofthe frame 14 when the tank trailer 10 is uncoupled from a pullingvehicle, illustratively a tractor cab 23 (FIG. 6). A conventionalreceiver 24 is positioned proximate the front end 16 of the frame 14 andis configured to receive a hitch of the pulling vehicle. The rearsuspension 20 illustratively includes a plurality of wheels 26.

The tank 12 illustratively includes a substantially cylindrically shapedmain body 28 and includes a first side 30 and a second side 32 (FIGS. 1and 5). The tank 12 is illustratively of conventional design and isconfigured to receive a fluid or granular material. A plurality of silos34 couple the main body 28 to piping 36. The piping 36 extends below theframe 14 and is operably coupled to the tank 12 to deliver materialtherefrom. A plurality of fixtures 38 (illustratively valves orknuckles) are supported below each silo 34 and fluidly coupled to thepiping 36. A control panel (not shown) may be supported by the frame 14and is operably coupled to the fixtures 38.

With reference to FIGS. 2-5, an illustrative aerodynamic tank trailerwrap 50 includes first and second side assemblies 52 a and 52 b thatextend longitudinally along opposing sides 30 and 32 of the tank trailer10. Each of the side assemblies 52 a and 52 b are substantiallyidentical. As such, while the following description will focus on thefirst side assembly 52 a, it should be appreciated that the second sideassembly 52 b includes substantially similar components.

With further reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, each side assembly 52illustratively includes an upper portion or panel 54 and a lower portionor panel 56 extending vertically between an upper end 58 and a lower end60. Each panel 54 and 56 may be formed of a polymer, such as afiberglass reinforced plastic (frp). In one illustrative embodiment,each panel 54 and 56 is illustratively formed of translucent Kemlite,available from Crane Composites Inc. of Channahon, Ill.

The upper panel 54 illustratively includes an upper edge 62, a loweredge 64, a first side edge 66 and a second side edge 68. Illustratively,the side edges 66 and 68 extend substantially parallel to each other ina vertical direction. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 5, thefirst and second side edges 66 and 68 taper inwardly from the upper edge62 toward the lower edge 64.

The lower panel 56 illustratively includes an upper edge 70, a loweredge 72, a first side edge 74 and a second side edge 76. Illustratively,the side edges 74 and 76 extend substantially parallel to each other ina vertical direction. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 2, thefirst and second side edges 74 and 76 taper inwardly from the upper edge70 toward the lower edge 72. The lower edge 72 illustratively includes aplurality of knuckle openings or cut-outs 78 to receive the valves 38,and a landing gear opening or cut-out 80 to receive the landing gear 22.

An upper coupler 82 illustratively couples the upper edge 62 of theupper panel 54 proximate a vertical mid-point of the tank 12. The uppercoupler 82 illustratively includes at least one upper hinge 84 tosupport the upper panel 54 for pivoting movement about an upperlongitudinal pivot axis 86. A top support channel 88 may be secured(e.g., via welding) to the tank trailer 10 to support the upper hinge84. A lower coupler 90 illustratively couples the upper edge 70 of thelower panel 56 to the lower edge 64 of the upper panel 54. The lowercoupler 90 illustratively includes at least one lower hinge 92 tosupport the lower panel 56 for pivoting movement about a lowerlongitudinal pivot axis 94. The upper and lower hinges 84 and 92 maycomprise double reinforced hinges.

The upper panel 54 extends up from the lower panel 56 which, in turn,extends or wraps under the belly of the tank trailer 10 to encloseexposed components. More particularly, the lower panels 56 cover thelower portions of the silos 34, the piping 30, and the valves 38. Assuch, the side assemblies 52 a and 52 b direct airflow away from thesecomponents, thereby improving aerodynamics of the tank trailer 10.

At least one lower connecting member 96 couples together the lowerpanels 56 of the opposing side assemblies 52 a and 52 b. Illustratively,the lower connecting members 96 comprise a plurality of rubber straps orbands 98. A fastener 100 illustratively permanently secures a first endof each strap 98 to the lower edge 72 of the lower panel 56 of firstside assembly 52 a, while a fastener clip 102 releasably secures asecond end of the strap 98 to the lower edge 72 of the lower panel 56 ofsecond side assembly 52 b (FIG. 5).

With further reference to FIG. 5, a rear wing 104 illustratively extendsrearwardly at a lateral angle from each lower panel 56 to deflect airfrom the rear suspension 20. A coupler 106, illustratively a hinge 108,couples the rear wing 104 to the lower panel 56 such that the lateralangle of the rear wing 104 may be adjusted about a vertical axis 110.Supports or kickstands 112, illustratively telescoping legs, may bepivotably supported by an inner surface 114 of the upper panel 54 tosupport the side assembly 52 in a raised position such that an operatormay access the components below the tank 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-32, a further illustrative aerodynamic tanktrailer wrap 150 is shown as including many similar features as the tanktrailer wrap 50 detailed above. As such, in the following description,similar components will be identified with like reference numbers.

With reference to FIGS. 6-11, the illustrative aerodynamic tank trailerwrap 150 includes first and second side assemblies 152 a and 152 b thatextend longitudinally along opposing sides 30 and 32 of the tank trailer10. Each of the side assemblies 152 a and 152 b are substantiallyidentical. As such, while the following description will focus on thefirst side assembly 152 a, it should be appreciated that the second sideassembly 152 b includes substantially similar components.

Each side assembly 152 illustratively includes an upper portion 154 anda lower portion 156. The upper portion 154 extends substantiallyvertical in parallel relation to the side 30, 32 of the tank 12. Thelower portion 156 is angled inwardly toward a center (e.g., alongitudinal center axis 157) of the trailer 10 below the tank 12. Anupper end of the lower portion 156 may be coupled to a lower end of theupper portion 154 via a pivot coupling, similar to the hinge 92 asdetailed above. Each side assembly 152 illustratively includes a centerportion 158 extending between opposing upper and lower ends 160 and 162,and between opposing front and rear ends 164 and 166.

With reference to FIGS. 10, 13-16, 19, 20, 24, 25, 31 and 32, the upperportion 154 and the lower portion 156 of each side assembly 152illustratively includes a support structure or framework 168 and 170,respectively. The framework 168 and 170 are illustratively formed of aplurality of interconnected rigid structural supports, such as aluminumtubes. More particularly, the framework 168 of the upper portion 154illustratively includes a plurality of uprights 172 coupled (e.g., viawelding) to longitudinal cross-members 174. Lateral cross-members orcouplers 175 may extend below the tank 12 between the side assemblies152 a and 152 b (FIGS. 13 and 15). Brackets 176 may be welded to thetank 12 to secure the framework 168 to the tank trailer 10. Similarly,the framework 170 of the lower portion 156 illustratively includes aplurality of inwardly angled members or uprights 178 coupled (e.g., viawelding) to longitudinal cross-members 180 (FIG. 21). Lateral supports182 may be welded to the tank trailer 10 to secure the framework 170thereto.

Aerodynamic panels 184 and 186 are illustratively coupled to theframework 168 and 170, respectively. The panels 184 and 186 may beformed of a polymer, such as a fiberglass reinforced plastic (frp),coupled to the framework 168 and 170 via conventional fasteners, such asscrews 188 (FIG. 12). In one illustrative embodiment, the panels 184 and186 are illustratively formed of ArmorTuf®—NXT High Impact Liner havinga thickness of 0.065 inches, available from Crane Composites Inc. ofChannahon, Ill.

Each side assembly 152 illustratively includes a forward aerodynamicdeflector 192 and a rear wheel aerodynamic deflector 194. The forwardaerodynamic deflector 192 is configured to deflect air around the sideassemblies 152. The rear wheel aerodynamic deflector 194 is configuredto deflect air around the rear suspension 20 of the trailer 10. Theforward aerodynamic deflector 192 illustratively includes framework 196supporting aerodynamic panels 198 (FIGS. 19 and 23). The panels 198illustratively extend upwardly and forwardly from the lower portion 156of the side assembly 152 adjacent the front end of the center portion158. The rear wheel aerodynamic deflector 194 illustratively includesframework 200 supporting a shield or panel 202 (FIGS. 12 and 25). Therear wheel aerodynamic deflector 194 is illustratively supportedadjacent the rear end of the center portion 158.

With reference to FIGS. 7, 17 and 18, a lower front assembly ordeflector 204 may be coupled to the trailer frame 14 and extendsdownwardly therefrom. The lower front deflector 204 illustrativelyincludes a front support structure or framework 206 supporting a frontaerodynamic panel 208. The lower front deflector 204 is illustrativelypositioned laterally intermediate the first side assembly 152 a and thesecond side assembly 152 b proximate the front end, and is positionedvertically below the forward aerodynamic deflector 192.

With reference to FIGS. 7, 28 and 29, a front aerodynamic nose deflector210 may be used with the aerodynamic tank trailer wrap 150. The nosedeflector 210 illustratively includes a support structure or framework212 supporting aerodynamic panels 214. The panels 214 of the nosedeflector 210 are generally angled relative to each other to deflectair. More particularly, the forward aerodynamic nose deflector 210 ispositioned laterally intermediate the first side assembly 152 a and thesecond side assembly 152 b, and positioned longitudinally forward of thefirst and second side assemblies 152 a and 152 b. The forwardaerodynamic nose deflector 210 includes a first aerodynamic panel 214 aand a second aerodynamic panel 214 b coupled to the first aerodynamicpanel 214 a at an apex 216. The first aerodynamic panel 214 a and thesecond aerodynamic panel 214 b angled rearwardly from the apex 216 todeflect air outwardly at the front end of the tank 12.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in thefollowing claims.

1-22. (canceled)
 23. An aerodynamic tank trailer wrap comprising: aframework configured to be secured to a tank trailer; and an aerodynamicpanel assembly secured to the framework, the panel assembly comprising:a first upper side panel extending longitudinally from a first front endto a first rear end, the first upper side panel vertically oriented; asecond upper side panel extending longitudinally from a second front endto a second rear end, the second upper side panel vertically orientedand laterally spaced in relation to the first upper side panel; a firstlower side panel positioned below the first upper side panel and angledinwardly toward a center axis of the tank trailer under the tank trailerin a non-vertical orientation; and a second lower side panel positionedbelow the second upper side panel and angled inwardly toward the centeraxis of the tank trailer under the tank trailer in a non-verticalorientation.
 24. The aerodynamic tank trailer wrap of claim 23, whereinthe aerodynamic panel assembly further comprises a forward aerodynamicdeflector positioned longitudinally forward of the front end of at leastone of the first upper side panel and the second upper side panel. 25.The aerodynamic tank trailer wrap of claim 24, wherein the aerodynamicpanel assembly further comprises a rear wheel aerodynamic deflectorpositioned longitudinally rearward of the rear end of at least one ofthe first upper side panel and the second upper side panel.
 26. Theaerodynamic tank trailer wrap of claim 25, wherein the aerodynamic panelassembly further comprises a front aerodynamic nose deflector positionedlongitudinally forward of the front end of the first upper side paneland the front end of the second upper side panel, and positionedlaterally intermediate the first upper side panel and the second upperside panel.
 27. The aerodynamic tank trailer wrap of claim 26, whereinthe aerodynamic panel assembly further comprises a lower front deflectorpositioned laterally intermediate the first upper side panel and thesecond upper side panel, and positioned vertically below the forwardaerodynamic deflector.
 28. The aerodynamic tank trailer wrap of claim23, wherein each panel of the aerodynamic panel assembly is secured tothe framework by couplers.
 29. The aerodynamic tank trailer wrap ofclaim 23, wherein at least one panel of the aerodynamic panel assemblyis pivotably secured.
 30. The aerodynamic tank trailer wrap of claim 23,further comprising a movable leg configured to support the at least onepanel in a raised and pivoted position.
 31. The aerodynamic tank trailerwrap of claim 23, wherein at least one of the first lower side panel andthe second lower side panel includes at least one opening configured toreceive a component of the tank trailer.
 32. The aerodynamic tanktrailer wrap of claim 23, wherein the aerodynamic panel assembly furthercomprises at least one rear wing extending rearwardly from the first andsecond upper side panels, the at least one rear wing configured todeflect air from a rear suspension of the tank trailer.
 33. Theaerodynamic tank trailer wrap of claim 23, wherein the respective panelsof the aerodynamic panel assembly are formed of a fiberglass reinforcedplastic (frp).
 34. A tank trailer comprising: a frame extendinglongitudinally between a front end and a rear end; a tank supported bythe frame, the tank including a first side and a second side; aplurality of valves supported by the frame below the tank; and anaerodynamic tank trailer wrap including: a framework configured to besecured to a tank trailer; and an aerodynamic panel assembly secured tothe framework, the panel assembly comprising: a first upper side panelextending longitudinally from a first front end to a first rear end, thefirst upper side panel vertically oriented; a second upper side panelextending longitudinally from a second front end to a second rear end,the second upper side panel vertically oriented and laterally spaced inrelation to the first upper side panel; a first lower side panelpositioned below the first upper side panel and angled inwardly toward acenter axis of the tank trailer under the tank trailer in a non-verticalorientation; and a second lower side panel positioned below the secondupper side panel and angled inwardly toward the center axis of the tanktrailer under the tank trailer in a non-vertical orientation.
 35. Thetank trailer of claim 34, wherein the aerodynamic panel assembly furtherincludes a forward aerodynamic deflector supported by a front end of theframework, and a rear wheel aerodynamic deflector supported by a rearend of the framework.
 36. The tank trailer of claim 34, wherein theaerodynamic panel assembly further includes a front aerodynamic nosedeflector positioned longitudinally forward of the front end of thefirst upper side panel and the front end of the second upper side panel,and positioned laterally intermediate the first upper side panel and thesecond upper side panel.
 37. The tank trailer of claim 34, furthercomprising: a retractable landing gear coupled to the frame; a firstlanding gear opening formed in the first lower side panel; and a secondlanding gear opening formed in the second lower side panel, wherein thefirst landing gear opening and the second landing gear opening receivethe retractable landing gear.
 38. The tank trailer of claim 34, furthercomprising: a first upper hinge pivotably connecting the first upperside panel to the framework about a first upper longitudinal pivot axis,and a second upper hinge pivotably connecting the second upper sidepanel to the framework about a second upper longitudinal pivot axis. 39.The tank trailer of claim 38, further comprising: a first lower hingepivotably coupling the first upper side panel with the first lower sidepanel; and a second lower hinge pivotably coupling the second upper sidepanel with the second lower side panel.
 40. The tank trailer of claim34, wherein the first upper side panel is pivotably connected to theframework, further comprising a movable leg configured to support thefirst upper side panel in a raised and pivoted position.
 41. The tanktrailer of claim 34, further comprising: a rear suspension operablycoupled to the frame; a first rear wing extending rearwardly from thefirst upper side panel; and a second rear wing extending rearwardly fromthe second upper side panel, wherein the first rear wing and the secondrear wing are configured to deflect air from the rear suspension of thetank trailer.